A Complete Guide to Kate Middleton's Family Tree

It was all attention on Kate Middleton in 2003 when the world got wind that she and Prince William were an item. Since William and Kate's fairytale 2011 wedding (and subsequently welcoming three kids) global onlookers have only gotten more curious about Kate. This interest in the Princess of Wales has thrust not just her, but her entire family into the spotlight—it's a good thing the Middleton clan are naturals on the global stage.

The charismatic family seems to have been invited into the royal fold with ease. As a regular observer at Balmoral Castle in Scotland told People in 2016, “I’ve never known a family drawn into the royal family like the Middletons."

From William's bond with Kate's younger brother James Middleton to Queen Elizabeth II's fondness for Kate's mom Carole Middleton, the integration of Kate and her husband's families has been a love-filled affair. Each member of the Middleton family has made stunning appearances at major royal engagements over the years, and most recently, have been stepping and speaking out in support of Kate as she battles cancer. See ahead for a complete Middleton family tree—they're quite a sweet, tight-knit group.

Carole Middleton

Carole was born Carole Goldsmith on January 31, 1955, in Perivale, England, to Dorothy Goldsmith (née Harrison) and Ronald Goldsmith. She is the older sister to her only sibling, Gary Goldsmith, who was born in 1965. Carole's father's family comes from coal miners, however, he worked as a builder. Her mother worked in a jewelry school and as a shop clerk.

Carole wished to become a teacher, however, her parents couldn't afford to send her to collage. Instead, she started working as a secretary for British Airways and worked herself up to a flight attendant, where she met flight dispatcher and her future husband, Michael.

The two tied the knot in June 1980 and had three children, Kate in 1982, Pippa in 1983, and James in 1987. The same year Carole welcomed her only son, she launched a party supply company called Party Pieces. The Middletons found quite some success through the business, which allowed them to send their children to private school. They also purchased homes in Bucklebury and Chelsea. In 2023, Carole sold the business to entrepreneur James Sinclair.

Carole and the rest of her family were thrust into the royal fold when Kate and William became romantically linked in 2002. This only increased as her daughter's relationship got more serious and culminated in a 2011 wedding. Carole has developed quite a relationship with the royal family, namely Queen Elizabeth II.

“In terms of a non-royal, young and trendy granny there’s been no one like her at all,” royals writer Robert Lacy told People about Carole.

The matriarch was heavily involved with planning Kate's wedding, "adores" her grandchildren, and has been a strong support system for Kate as she has battled cancer.

Michael Frances Middleton

Michael was born on June 23, 1949, in Leeds, and had royal ties long before his daughter married into the family. His grandmother Olive's family had a textile fortune and hosted British royal family members at their manor in Leeds. Michael's father, Peter, even served as Prince Philip's first officer during a two-month South American flying tour in the 1960s.

Michael grew up in the West Yorkshire city and went on to attend Clifton College and the University of Surrey. After graduating, he joined flight school with the intention of following in his father's footsteps as a pilot. However, he switched gears and became a part of the ground grew, later working as a flight dispatcher for British Airways, where, of course, he met Carole.

Michael's career took the couple to Amman, Jordon, where they resided in the early 1980s before returning to England to raise their three kids. The patriarch gave up his aviation career in 1987 to work on Party Pieces full time.

“My husband and I were young and a little inexperienced, but very enthusiastic, so we didn’t worry too much,” Carole told SheerLuxe in 2022. “We took any early setbacks in our stride and had a lot of fun building the business together.”

Like his wife, Michael has also been a constant figure throughout Kate's royal transition. He has joined quite a few royal engagements, including his daughter's wedding, where he walked her down the aisle; King Charles's coronation; and Kate's annual royal Christmas concert. He has also lent his love and support to his eldest child as she navigates her health battle.

Kate Middleton

Kate, Princess of Wales, was born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton on January 9, 1982, to Michael and Carole Middleton. She is the eldest Middleton child, with younger siblings Pippa and James.

Kate attended St Andrew's School and Marlborough College. After taking a gap year, she enrolled at St. Andrews in 2001, where she met Prince William. They later married and welcomed three children. Upon tying the knot, she became known as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge; following the death of Elizabeth, she became Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Middleton has devoted much of her philanthropic efforts to early childhood support and children's mental and physical health. In June 2021, she launched The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and has since spearheaded the "Shaping Us" campaign, which underscores the importance of a child's early years.

On March 22, 2024, the princess posted an emotional video to the official royal social media accounts announcing she has an undisclosed form of cancer. She noted at the time that she'd be undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy. On September 9, 2024, she shared she had completed chemo.

Prince William

Prince William was born on June 21, 1982. He is the first child of King Charles III and Princess Diana and the heir to the British throne. William attended the University of St. Andrews, where he met his wife, Kate Middleton, and graduated in 2005. After completing officer training, he joined the RAF Search and Rescue Force in 2010.

The following year, on April 29, 2011, he and Kate got married. They have since welcomed three children, Prince George in 2013, Princess Charlotte in 2015, and Prince Louis in 2018.

In 2020, William started the Earthshot Prize, an award created "to discover, spotlight, and help grow innovative solutions that are working to repair and regenerate our planet," per the official website. It is one of many philanthropic causes he presides over, including homelessness and mental health.

William has served as a consistent source of support as Kate has navigated her health battle.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis

Prince George is the oldest child of Prince William and Princess Kate, born on July 22, 2013. He is second in line to the throne.

Princess Charlotte is William and Kate's only daughter and third in line to the throne. Born May 2, 2015, she honors her grandmother and great grandmother with her middle names, "Elizabeth Diana." Prince Louis is William and Kate's youngest child and fourth in line to the throne, born April 23, 2018.

Pippa Middleton

Less than two years after Kate was born, Carole and Michael welcomed their second daughter, Philippa Charlotte Middleton (best known as "Pippa") on September 6, 1983, in Reading, Berkshire.

Pippa followed in her older sisters footsteps by attending Marlborough College, though she was on a sports scholarship. She then went her own way by enrolling at the University of Edinburgh, graduating with degrees in English literature and physical education, sport and physical literacy. She worked in public relations before joining the family business, Party Pieces. Pippa also authored two books, Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends in 2012 and Heartfelt in 2016.

Pippa has maintained her passion for fitness, participating in extreme sporting events, including the Otillo Swim-Run Championship in Sweden and the Inferno Ski Race in Switzerland.

Much like her parents, Pippa was thrust into the spotlight when Kate became intertwined with William. She was named one of England's most eligible women by British tabloids, until she coupled up with financier and heir to the Glen Affric estate in Scotland, James Matthews in 2012. The two wed on May 20, 2017 at St. Mark's Church in Englefield, with the Prince and Princess of Wales as part of their wedding party. They share three children, Arthur, Grace, and Rose.

James Spencer Matthews

James Spencer Matthews was born on August 21, 1975, to David Matthews, a luxury car dealer and hotelier, and Jane Matthews, an artist. He has two younger brothers, Michael, who died when he was 22 years old in 1999 while climbing Mount Everest, and Spencer, who appeared on the reality TV show Made in Chelsea.

Growing up, James split his time between his family's 30-acre Nottinghamshire estate and luxury resort Eden Rock in St. Barthelemy. The Matthews family also has a 10,000-acre estate and luxury hunting lodge called Glen Affric Estate in Scotland.

James was a professional racing driver early in his career, having won the British Formula Renault Championship and the Eurocup Formula Renault titles in 1994. He then pivoted to become an equities trader before founding his own hedge fund, Eden Rock Capital Management in 2001, which has since been rebranded to Eden Rock Group.

Arthur, Grace, and Rose Matthews

Pippa and James welcomed their first child, a son named Arthur Michael William Matthews, on October 15, 2018, in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital in London, where Kate and William welcomed their three kids. Arthur's middle name, Michael, honors both his grandfather, Michael Middleton, and his late uncle, Michael Matthews. Arthur's arrival made Kate and William an aunt and uncle for the first time.

The couple welcomed their second child, a daughter named Grace Elizabeth Jane Matthews on March 15, 2021, also at St. Mary's Hospital. Grace's middle names honor both of her grandmothers: Jane pays tribute to James's mom, Jane Matthews, while Elizabeth honor's Pippa's mom, Carole Elizabeth Middleton. Elizabeth is also Kate's middle name.

Pippa and James welcomed their third child and second daughter, Rose Matthews, in June 2022. Her name refers to the flower, which is the birth flower of the month of June. The couple have yet to publicly comment on Rose's arrival.

James Middleton

Michael and Carole welcomed their third child and first son, James William Middleton, on April 15, 1987, in Reading, England. Like Pippa, he attended Marlborough College and later University of Edinburgh, though he dropped out after a year. James inherited his mother's entrepreneurial gene, as he embarked on his first business venture of selling themed birthday cake baking kits through Party Pieces, before creating The Cake Kit Company, which later dissolved in 2015. Keeping with the treats theme, he also founded a personalized marshmallow business called Boomf in 2013. In 2020, he launched a natural pet food company called Ella & Co., which he later rebranded to James & Ella in 2023 following the death of his adored dog Ella the same year.

James is quite an animal lover, as he owns six dogs: Mabel, Zulu, Inka, Luna, Nala, and Isla. He also breeds dogs; both of Kate and William's dogs, Lupo and Orla, were gifts from James. He also holds mental health close to his heart. He revealed he struggles with depression in a 2019 op-ed for the Daily Mail, in which he described the condition as "the cancer of the mind." He has also been open about his experience in therapy, including how he has attended sessions with his sisters, in interviews and in his 2024 memoir, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Changed My Life.

Fusing his two loves, he founded the Paw Print Fund in April 2020, an organization dedicated to helping animal welfare charities, including Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Battersea, and Dog's Trust. James also serves as a volunteer to Pets As Therapy, a nonprofit that brings therapy animals to homes, hospitals, schools, prisons, and hospices.

James started dating the love of his life, French financial analyst Alizeé Thevenet, in 2019, whom he later exchanged vows with during a ceremony in the south of France on September 11, 2021. The couple became parents when they welcomed a son named Inigo in October 2023.

Alizeé Thevenet

Alizeé Thevenet had quite a worldly childhood, as she was born in France but raised in five additional different countries: Germany, Indonesia, Chile, Belgium, and England. In young adulthood, she resided in the U.K., earning her master's degree in investment and finance from Queen Mary, University of London.

She first met James Middleton at the South Kensington Club in London in the summer of 2018. Like fate, it was James's dog Ella who brought them together, as she approached Thevenet.

“Little did I know, I had just met my future wife, all thanks to Ella,” James told The Telegraph about their first encounter. “If I hadn’t trusted Ella, I wouldn't have brought her to the South Kensington Club and she wouldn’t have been able to say hi to the woman who became my fiancée.”

They began dating early in 2019 and tied the knot in September 2021 in the south of France. During the ceremony, Alizeé wore her mother-in-law Carole's wedding dress, which she told Hello! she "fell in love with." In October 2023, they welcomed their first child, Inigo.

Inigo Middleton

James Middleton and Thevenet officially became parents in October 2023, when they welcomed their son Inigo. The new dad commemorated Inigo's birth with an Instagram post, writing, "He has been in our lives for just a few weeks but they have been the most special of my life getting to know our beautiful baby boy 💙 No matter how prepared I thought I was…I was not prepared for the overwhelming emotion of meeting Inigo for the first time and the love for my darling Alizée as we became three."

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